Lab Grown Diamonds In Houston
Diamonds are the pinnacle of luxury, renowned for their strength, versatility, and elegance. If you’re considering a lab grown diamond but aren’t sure where to start, rest assured that you’re in good hands.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that have been created in a controlled laboratory setting using a process that replicates the conditions natural diamonds are formed under. You might see lab grown diamonds marketed as lab created diamonds, engineered diamonds, cultured diamonds, or man-made diamonds.
Lab created diamonds are often a more ethical choice than natural diamonds because no mining is required to produce them. Our lab grown diamonds are high-quality, conflict-free, and they can be more affordable than diamonds that have been mined.
Are Lab Created Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes! Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. A common misconception is that lab grown diamonds are “fake” diamonds, like cubic zirconia or moissanite. While cubic zirconia and moissanite might look like diamonds, they aren’t chemically similar at all, and they don’t have the same brilliance or durability as real diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically identical to earth-grown diamonds — right down to the crystalline structure of carbon atoms that's characteristic of natural diamonds. In fact, it’s nearly impossible for jewelers to differentiate between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds without special equipment.
Think of lab grown diamonds vs. natural diamonds like a silk dress that’s sewn by hand vs. a silk dress that’s sewn with a sewing machine — both are silk dresses, just created with different methods.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
There are two methods used to grow man-made diamonds — Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Both processes mimic natural diamond formation to create dazzling, gem-quality diamonds.
Chemical Vapor Deposition
To create CVD diamonds, a small piece of carbon, called a diamond seed, is placed in a pressure chamber that’s heated to around 800 degrees celsius. After the chamber is heated, gasses are introduced that are then ionized and broken down into more carbon.
Over the course of 6 to 12 weeks, the carbon molecules build on the diamond seed to create a rough diamond that is cut, polished, and graded. The CVD process often forms colorless diamonds with high clarity. CVD diamonds are generally less expensive than HPHT diamonds because they require less energy to create.
High Pressure High Temperature
When diamonds are formed in the earth’s mantle, they’re exposed to extremely high pressure and temperatures over 2000 degrees celsius for millions of years. The HPHT method replicates this natural process in as little as two weeks.
A growth cell, which combines a diamond seed with a mixture of metals and powders, undergoes incredibly high pressure and temperatures that reach 1,300 degrees celsius. After many days in this intense environment, the growth cell melts and reforms into a rough diamond that’s ready to be cut, polished, and graded.
The HPHT process can enhance a diamond’s clarity and color, and it’s common to find CVD diamonds and earth-mined diamonds that have been treated with HPHT to improve their appearance.
Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are a popular alternative to natural diamonds. Here are a few reasons why man-made diamonds are an excellent choice to consider when choosing a new piece of diamond jewelry.
- Fewer imperfections: Lab grown diamonds are created in highly controlled settings and aren’t subject to the inclusions, defects, and discoloration commonly found in natural diamonds. As a result, lab grown diamonds are often brighter and have more radiance.
- More affordable: Because lab created diamonds pass through fewer hands, they’re up to 75% more affordable than diamonds that have been mined. This is great news for people who want to bask in the brilliance of diamond jewelry, without the higher price tag associated with mined diamonds.
- Readily available: Lab grown diamonds have the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle as high quality mined diamonds, and it’s easy to find lab grown diamonds in a variety of highly sought-after colors that are rarely found in nature.
- Ethical sourcing: Lab grown diamonds have guaranteed ethical sourcing because no mining was required in their creation — for this reason, lab grown diamonds are also guaranteed to be conflict-free.
Colored Lab Grown Diamonds
While yellow diamonds are the most commonly seen colored lab grown diamonds, you can actually find them in nearly any color of the rainbow. From green to pink or blue, the options are endless. Still a true diamond, lab grown colored diamonds are made just like their colorless counterparts, except for the addition of trace elements during the growing process. Trace elements like nitrogen, boron, and hydrogen are used to produce the wide range of beautiful colors you can find in our stores today.
Lab Grown Certifications
When shopping for a lab-grown diamond, you want to make sure it comes with a certification from a reputable authority to ensure your diamond is of the highest quality. Two reputable authorities for your certification are the International Gemological Institute (IGI) and the Gemological Institute Of America (GIA). These two organizations are the leading authorities on diamonds, and their specific certification guarantees that your diamond has been thoroughly evaluated for quality.
Both the IGI certificate and the laboratory grown GIA certificate should include information on your diamond’s carat weight, color, clarity, cut, and polish. It will also feature a detailed diagram of your diamond that highlights any inclusions or blemishes. With an IGI or GIA certified lab grown diamond, you can be confident that you’re getting a beautiful, high-quality diamond that will last a lifetime.
Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings in Houston
At Inter-Continental Jewelers, we specialize in high-quality engagement rings and certified diamonds that add a terrific amount of sparkle to every occasion. Our showroom provides our clients with the opportunity to see our engagement rings in the Houston area. Contact us to schedule a personalized consultation and enjoy expert guidance as you choose the perfect piece to celebrate life’s milestones.